Synopsis
The untold story of the flamboyant and fearless woman who captivated mid-20th century Australia with her exploits.
Bee Miles was notorious for jumping in and out of taxis and trams without paying her fare, reciting Shakespeare in public, and sleeping on city monuments. But she was no ordinary vagrant.
Born into a wealthy Sydney family and highly educated, she was part of the city's literary and artistic circles in the 1930s. She was the subject of a stream of national and local media reports for decades about her travels across the country, and other exploits including stopping a country train in its tracks, and emerging majestically from the surf at Manly with a knife strapped to each thigh. She was once even voted more famous than the Prime Minister. She was also repeatedly incarcerated in prisons and mental hospitals, and treated brutally by a succession of figures in authority, starting with her father.
A truly larger than life character, Bee repeatedly defied conventional expectations of female behaviour. Her story has been told again and again in many forms by the many people fascinated by her boldness. But no-one has dug deeply into the roots of Bee's behaviour. Rose Ellis draws on Bee's very frank unpublished memoir of her treatment as a psychiatric patient, comparing it with her medical case notes, and at times astonishing correspondence between her family and her psychiatrists. It's a fascinating insight into a dark side of our history.
'These pages dance with details of a forgotten Australia, in which the sane were in asylums, the rich were on the left, and clever Bee Miles dominated the city of Sydney.' - Alison Bashford, author of An Intimate History of Evolution
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About the Author
Rose Ellis is a writer, editor, researcher and experienced project director in rural and remote Indigenous health.
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Bee Miles (Paperback)
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Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Shortlisted for the Australian History prize in the 2024 Prime Minister's Literary Awards Shortlisted for the 2024 National Biography Award Bee Miles was a truly larger-than-life character. Famous for being outrageous in public, or, as she said, living' recklessly', she shocked and intrigued cities and towns across Australia. But she was no ordinary wanderer. Born into a wealthy family, Bee moved in Sydney's literary and artistic circles in the 1920s and 1930s before she took up residence on the streets. A consummate performer and a perceptive critic, she caught the public's imagination with her spectacular acts of defiance, emerging majestically from the surf with a knife strapped to each thigh, stopping a country train in its tracks, hitchhiking across remote Australia and drawing large city crowds with her Shakespeare recitations. She was once even voted more famous than the Prime Minister. She was also repeatedly incarcerated in prisons, confined to mental hospitals and treated brutally by a succession of authority figures, starting with her father. Bee constantly defied conventional expectations of female behaviour. The public found her captivating and fragments of her story have been told again and again in many forms. Until now, no-one has uncovered the real story behind the colourful legend. This first full biography offers a fascinating glimpse into a dark side of Australia's history.'Empathetic and thoroughly researched, this superb biography is the most outstanding Australian non-fiction book I have read so far this year. Miles tended to be caricatured during her lifetime, but now we have a full portrait of one of the most remarkable individuals ever to call Australia home. Bee Miles at last has been accorded her rightful place in history.' -The Sydney Morning Herald 'These pages dance with details of a forgotten Australia, in which the sane were in asylums, the rich were on the left and clever Bee Miles dominated the city of Sydney.' -Alison Bashford, author of An Intimate History of Evolution'The remarkable tale of an eternal vagabond, Bohemian to her core.' -Lucy Frost, historian and author 'A thrilling ride through the life of one of Australia's most gifted yetmisunderstood characters. I adored it!' -Mandy Sayer, award-winning author 'A brilliant rollercoaster of a book.' -Craig Munro, author of Literary Lion Tamers'A biography that, like its subject, often shocks the reader, in the best way possible. a tender, raucous account.' - National Biography Award judges' comments 'Empathetic and thoroughly researched, this superb biography is the most outstanding Australian non-fiction book I have read so far this year. Miles tended to be caricatured during her lifetime, but now we have a full portrait of one of the most remarkable individuals ever to call Australia home.' - Sydney Morning Herald 'Instead of simply a handful of colourful fragments, we now have a complete picture of a woman who was, by turns, tormented, tragic and hilariously reckless, albeit always absolutely uncompromising.' - The Australian The untold story of the uncompromising and fearless woman who captivated mid-20th century Australia with her spectacular acts of defiance. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781761069130
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Bee Miles
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Paperback. Condition: New. Shortlisted for the Australian History prize in the 2024 Prime Minister's Literary Awards Shortlisted for the 2024 National Biography Award Bee Miles was a truly larger-than-life character. Famous for being outrageous in public, or, as she said, living' recklessly', she shocked and intrigued cities and towns across Australia. But she was no ordinary wanderer. Born into a wealthy family, Bee moved in Sydney's literary and artistic circles in the 1920s and 1930s before she took up residence on the streets. A consummate performer and a perceptive critic, she caught the public's imagination with her spectacular acts of defiance, emerging majestically from the surf with a knife strapped to each thigh, stopping a country train in its tracks, hitchhiking across remote Australia and drawing large city crowds with her Shakespeare recitations. She was once even voted more famous than the Prime Minister. She was also repeatedly incarcerated in prisons, confined to mental hospitals and treated brutally by a succession of authority figures, starting with her father. Bee constantly defied conventional expectations of female behaviour. The public found her captivating and fragments of her story have been told again and again in many forms. Until now, no-one has uncovered the real story behind the colourful legend. This first full biography offers a fascinating glimpse into a dark side of Australia's history.'Empathetic and thoroughly researched, this superb biography is the most outstanding Australian non-fiction book I have read so far this year. Miles tended to be caricatured during her lifetime, but now we have a full portrait of one of the most remarkable individuals ever to call Australia home. Bee Miles at last has been accorded her rightful place in history.' -The Sydney Morning Herald 'These pages dance with details of a forgotten Australia, in which the sane were in asylums, the rich were on the left and clever Bee Miles dominated the city of Sydney.' -Alison Bashford, author of An Intimate History of Evolution'The remarkable tale of an eternal vagabond, Bohemian to her core.' -Lucy Frost, historian and author 'A thrilling ride through the life of one of Australia's most gifted yetmisunderstood characters. I adored it!' -Mandy Sayer, award-winning author 'A brilliant rollercoaster of a book.' -Craig Munro, author of Literary Lion Tamers'A biography that, like its subject, often shocks the reader, in the best way possible. a tender, raucous account.' - National Biography Award judges' comments 'Empathetic and thoroughly researched, this superb biography is the most outstanding Australian non-fiction book I have read so far this year. Miles tended to be caricatured during her lifetime, but now we have a full portrait of one of the most remarkable individuals ever to call Australia home.' - Sydney Morning Herald 'Instead of simply a handful of colourful fragments, we now have a complete picture of a woman who was, by turns, tormented, tragic and hilario. Seller Inventory # LU-9781761069130
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Bee Miles: Australia's Famous Bohemian Rebel, and the Untold Story Behind the Legend.
Seller: BOOKHOME SYDNEY, Annandale Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Paperback octavo, very good condition, black & white centre spread, minor edgewear. 322 pp. Rose Ellis reveals the real story behind Bee Miles, the colourful legend. This first full biography offers a fascinating glimpse into a dark side of Australia's history. Bee was born into a wealthy family, and moved in Sydney's literary and artistic circles in the 1920s and 1930s before she took up residence on the streets. Seller Inventory # 31403
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Bee Miles: Australia's famous bohemian rebel, and the untold story behind the legend
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Soft cover. Condition: Near Fine. THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF BEE MILES, THE ETERNAL VAGABOND, BOHEMIAN TO HER CORE. Seller Inventory # 007900
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Bee Miles: Australia's famous bohemian rebel, and the untold story behind the legend
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ISBN 10: 1761069136
ISBN 13: 9781761069130
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Bee Miles: Australia's famous bohemian rebel, and the untold story behind the legend
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Soft cover. Condition: Near Fine. THE UNTOLD STORY OF AUSTRALIA'S MOST FAMOUS BOHEMIAN REBEL, BEE MILES. name of former owner on front end page. Seller Inventory # 006334
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Bee Miles: Australia's Famous Bohemian Rebel, and the Untold Story Behind the Legend
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Bee Miles (Paperback)
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Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Shortlisted for the Australian History prize in the 2024 Prime Minister's Literary Awards Shortlisted for the 2024 National Biography Award Bee Miles was a truly larger-than-life character. Famous for being outrageous in public, or, as she said, living' recklessly', she shocked and intrigued cities and towns across Australia. But she was no ordinary wanderer. Born into a wealthy family, Bee moved in Sydney's literary and artistic circles in the 1920s and 1930s before she took up residence on the streets. A consummate performer and a perceptive critic, she caught the public's imagination with her spectacular acts of defiance, emerging majestically from the surf with a knife strapped to each thigh, stopping a country train in its tracks, hitchhiking across remote Australia and drawing large city crowds with her Shakespeare recitations. She was once even voted more famous than the Prime Minister. She was also repeatedly incarcerated in prisons, confined to mental hospitals and treated brutally by a succession of authority figures, starting with her father. Bee constantly defied conventional expectations of female behaviour. The public found her captivating and fragments of her story have been told again and again in many forms. Until now, no-one has uncovered the real story behind the colourful legend. This first full biography offers a fascinating glimpse into a dark side of Australia's history.'Empathetic and thoroughly researched, this superb biography is the most outstanding Australian non-fiction book I have read so far this year. Miles tended to be caricatured during her lifetime, but now we have a full portrait of one of the most remarkable individuals ever to call Australia home. Bee Miles at last has been accorded her rightful place in history.' -The Sydney Morning Herald 'These pages dance with details of a forgotten Australia, in which the sane were in asylums, the rich were on the left and clever Bee Miles dominated the city of Sydney.' -Alison Bashford, author of An Intimate History of Evolution'The remarkable tale of an eternal vagabond, Bohemian to her core.' -Lucy Frost, historian and author 'A thrilling ride through the life of one of Australia's most gifted yetmisunderstood characters. I adored it!' -Mandy Sayer, award-winning author 'A brilliant rollercoaster of a book.' -Craig Munro, author of Literary Lion Tamers'A biography that, like its subject, often shocks the reader, in the best way possible. a tender, raucous account.' - National Biography Award judges' comments 'Empathetic and thoroughly researched, this superb biography is the most outstanding Australian non-fiction book I have read so far this year. Miles tended to be caricatured during her lifetime, but now we have a full portrait of one of the most remarkable individuals ever to call Australia home.' - Sydney Morning Herald 'Instead of simply a handful of colourful fragments, we now have a complete picture of a woman who was, by turns, tormented, tragic and hilariously reckless, albeit always absolutely uncompromising.' - The Australian The untold story of the uncompromising and fearless woman who captivated mid-20th century Australia with her spectacular acts of defiance. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781761069130
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Bee Miles (Paperback)
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Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Shortlisted for the Australian History prize in the 2024 Prime Minister's Literary Awards Shortlisted for the 2024 National Biography Award Bee Miles was a truly larger-than-life character. Famous for being outrageous in public, or, as she said, living' recklessly', she shocked and intrigued cities and towns across Australia. But she was no ordinary wanderer. Born into a wealthy family, Bee moved in Sydney's literary and artistic circles in the 1920s and 1930s before she took up residence on the streets. A consummate performer and a perceptive critic, she caught the public's imagination with her spectacular acts of defiance, emerging majestically from the surf with a knife strapped to each thigh, stopping a country train in its tracks, hitchhiking across remote Australia and drawing large city crowds with her Shakespeare recitations. She was once even voted more famous than the Prime Minister. She was also repeatedly incarcerated in prisons, confined to mental hospitals and treated brutally by a succession of authority figures, starting with her father. Bee constantly defied conventional expectations of female behaviour. The public found her captivating and fragments of her story have been told again and again in many forms. Until now, no-one has uncovered the real story behind the colourful legend. This first full biography offers a fascinating glimpse into a dark side of Australia's history.'Empathetic and thoroughly researched, this superb biography is the most outstanding Australian non-fiction book I have read so far this year. Miles tended to be caricatured during her lifetime, but now we have a full portrait of one of the most remarkable individuals ever to call Australia home. Bee Miles at last has been accorded her rightful place in history.' -The Sydney Morning Herald 'These pages dance with details of a forgotten Australia, in which the sane were in asylums, the rich were on the left and clever Bee Miles dominated the city of Sydney.' -Alison Bashford, author of An Intimate History of Evolution'The remarkable tale of an eternal vagabond, Bohemian to her core.' -Lucy Frost, historian and author 'A thrilling ride through the life of one of Australia's most gifted yetmisunderstood characters. I adored it!' -Mandy Sayer, award-winning author 'A brilliant rollercoaster of a book.' -Craig Munro, author of Literary Lion Tamers'A biography that, like its subject, often shocks the reader, in the best way possible. a tender, raucous account.' - National Biography Award judges' comments 'Empathetic and thoroughly researched, this superb biography is the most outstanding Australian non-fiction book I have read so far this year. Miles tended to be caricatured during her lifetime, but now we have a full portrait of one of the most remarkable individuals ever to call Australia home.' - Sydney Morning Herald 'Instead of simply a handful of colourful fragments, we now have a complete picture of a woman who was, by turns, tormented, tragic and hilariously reckless, albeit always absolutely uncompromising.' - The Australian The untold story of the uncompromising and fearless woman who captivated mid-20th century Australia with her spectacular acts of defiance. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781761069130
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Bee Miles
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Paperback. Condition: New. Shortlisted for the Australian History prize in the 2024 Prime Minister's Literary Awards Shortlisted for the 2024 National Biography Award Bee Miles was a truly larger-than-life character. Famous for being outrageous in public, or, as she said, living' recklessly', she shocked and intrigued cities and towns across Australia. But she was no ordinary wanderer. Born into a wealthy family, Bee moved in Sydney's literary and artistic circles in the 1920s and 1930s before she took up residence on the streets. A consummate performer and a perceptive critic, she caught the public's imagination with her spectacular acts of defiance, emerging majestically from the surf with a knife strapped to each thigh, stopping a country train in its tracks, hitchhiking across remote Australia and drawing large city crowds with her Shakespeare recitations. She was once even voted more famous than the Prime Minister. She was also repeatedly incarcerated in prisons, confined to mental hospitals and treated brutally by a succession of authority figures, starting with her father. Bee constantly defied conventional expectations of female behaviour. The public found her captivating and fragments of her story have been told again and again in many forms. Until now, no-one has uncovered the real story behind the colourful legend. This first full biography offers a fascinating glimpse into a dark side of Australia's history.'Empathetic and thoroughly researched, this superb biography is the most outstanding Australian non-fiction book I have read so far this year. Miles tended to be caricatured during her lifetime, but now we have a full portrait of one of the most remarkable individuals ever to call Australia home. Bee Miles at last has been accorded her rightful place in history.' -The Sydney Morning Herald 'These pages dance with details of a forgotten Australia, in which the sane were in asylums, the rich were on the left and clever Bee Miles dominated the city of Sydney.' -Alison Bashford, author of An Intimate History of Evolution'The remarkable tale of an eternal vagabond, Bohemian to her core.' -Lucy Frost, historian and author 'A thrilling ride through the life of one of Australia's most gifted yetmisunderstood characters. I adored it!' -Mandy Sayer, award-winning author 'A brilliant rollercoaster of a book.' -Craig Munro, author of Literary Lion Tamers'A biography that, like its subject, often shocks the reader, in the best way possible. a tender, raucous account.' - National Biography Award judges' comments 'Empathetic and thoroughly researched, this superb biography is the most outstanding Australian non-fiction book I have read so far this year. Miles tended to be caricatured during her lifetime, but now we have a full portrait of one of the most remarkable individuals ever to call Australia home.' - Sydney Morning Herald 'Instead of simply a handful of colourful fragments, we now have a complete picture of a woman who was, by turns, tormented, tragic and hilario. Seller Inventory # LU-9781761069130